System for actively controlling compressor clearances

A method of actively controlling compressor clearances comprising the steps of:

• providing a turbine engine with a compressor having a vane carrier with a plurality of closed channels extending substantially axially therethrough, the plurality of channels being circumferentially spaced from each other, each of the channels having an open first end and an open second end, the vane carrier further including a generally circumferentially extending supply plenum, the supply plenum being connected in fluid communication with the first end of each of the plurality of channels, wherein the vane carrier is at a first temperature;
• providing a thermal fluid at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature;
• routing the thermal fluid to the supply plenum so that the thermal fluid passes in heat exchanging relation through each of the plurality of channels so as to increase the temperature of the blade ring above the first temperature, whereby exposure to the thermal fluid causes one of radial expansion of the vane carrier and minimization of radial contraction of the vane carrier.

A method of actively controlling compressor clearances comprising the steps of:

• providing a turbine engine with a compressor having a vane carrier with a plurality of closed channels extending substantially axially therethrough, the plurality of channels being circumferentially spaced from each other, each of the channels having an open first end and an open second end, the vane carrier further including a generally circumferentially extending supply plenum, the supply plenum being connected in fluid communication with the first end of each of the plurality of channels, wherein the vane carrier is at a first temperature;
• providing a fluid at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature;
• routing the fluid to the supply plenum so that the fluid passes in heat exchanging relation through each of the plurality of channels so as to lower the temperature of the vane carrier below the first temperature, whereby exposure to the fluid causes one of a radial contraction of the vane carrier and a minimization of radial expansion of the vane carrier.